HB 450 requires all drivers in Mississippi to use headlights during adverse weather (like rain, snow, fog, or ice) or other conditions that reduce visibility and necessitate windshield wiper use. It specifically prohibits using only parking lights when headlights are required, defining "adverse driving conditions" to include precipitation requiring wipers, unexpected road hazards, or low-visibility situations. Violations carry a $25 misdemeanor fine, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects all vehicle operators on Mississippi roads during specified hazardous conditions.
This constitutional amendment (HC 17) proposes requiring secured bonds - meaning defendants must post money, property, or other security - for individuals charged with "bail restricted offenses" (crimes punishable by over one year in prison). It would prevent judges from granting unsecured release (like release on personal promise or unsecured bond) for such charges, except in limited cases where a judge deems it appropriate. The amendment defines "unsecured judicial release" to include common pretrial options like release on own recognizance. The proposal died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would require voter approval in 2026 to take effect.
HB 532 would amend Mississippi law to impose specific penalties for false reports about crimes or emergencies at schools. It directly affects minors (under 18) who falsely report threats, violence, or other emergencies at public or private K-12 schools or colleges. Key provisions require youth courts to order at least 120 hours of community service, up to $10,000 in fines, or both for minors; violations of these terms could lead to 10-15 days in juvenile detention. The bill also mandates restitution for investigation costs and died in committee on February 3, 2026.
HB 481 prohibits Mississippi from issuing new driver's licenses or learner's permits to individuals who are not U.S. citizens. It also requires non-citizen license holders to provide a Certificate of Naturalization to renew their licenses after expiration. This law directly affects non-citizen residents of Mississippi who currently hold or seek a driver's license. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2027.
HB 433 restores voting rights to Mississippi residents who have completed their criminal sentences for crimes that disqualify voters. The bill requires election officials to automatically reinstate voter registration upon completion of incarceration, probation, or parole, without needing additional proof from voters. It mandates the Secretary of State to provide public information about disqualifying crimes and the restoration process, and to ensure election officials can verify sentence completion electronically. This directly affects individuals with past convictions who have finished their sentences.
HB 523 bans anyone accused of child abuse - including parents or guardians - from being present during forensic interviews of children in abuse investigations. This ensures interviews occur without potential intimidation, directly affecting children reporting abuse and the accused individuals. The bill also updates Mississippi's youth court record disclosure rules but focuses primarily on excluding accused persons during interviews. The bill died in committee in February 2026.
HB 469 increases the number of judges in Mississippi's First Circuit Court District from four to five, effective July 1, 2026. The bill adjusts residency requirements: Place One must be a resident of Alcorn, Prentiss, or Tishomingo County; Places Two and Three require residency in any county within the district; and Places Four and Five must be residents of Itawamba, Monroe, or Pontotoc County. This change directly affects the 7-county First Circuit Court District (Alcorn, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, and Tishomingo), altering how judges are elected and assigned geographically. The bill modifies existing law without changing court procedures or jurisdiction.
HB 524, the "Fair Minimum Wage Act," would have established Mississippi's minimum wage at $15.00 per hour for all workers, effective immediately, with automatic annual adjustments based on inflation (using the U.S. Consumer Price Index). It directly affects all employers and low-wage workers across the state by requiring them to pay at least $15 hourly, prohibiting the use of tips or commissions to meet this standard, and mandating future increases tied to cost-of-living changes. The bill was referred to committee in early 2026 but died there on February 3, 2026, so it never became law. Key provisions included eliminating the federal minimum wage as the baseline and requiring the Department of Employment Security to calculate annual adjustments starting in 2026.
HB 428 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education to create and implement a mandatory curriculum in African-American Studies and Racial Diversity for all public high school students in grades 9 through 12. The curriculum must cover specific historical content, including the contributions of African descendants to American history, chronological African and African-American history, the Civil Rights Movement, slavery, Reconstruction, and the Harlem Renaissance. It also mandates that the course connect historical events to contemporary issues and integrate these topics into American History education. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, directly affecting all Mississippi public high schools and their students.
HB 516 would have changed Mississippi law to extend registration renewal periods for charitable organizations and related professionals from annually to every 3-5 years, as determined by the Secretary of State. It directly affects charitable organizations soliciting donations, professional fund-raisers, and professional solicitors who must register with the state. Key provisions include maintaining the same $50 annual renewal fee for organizations and $250 fee for fund-raisers while shifting the renewal cycle from yearly to a 3-5 year interval, with required periodic reports. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 535 requires Mississippi's Workers' Compensation Commission to hold an emergency hearing within 20 days if either a worker or employer requests one for contested claims. This change modifies existing procedures to ensure urgent cases aren't delayed, directly affecting workers and employers seeking faster resolution of injury compensation disputes. The bill mandates the Commission must schedule these hearings promptly upon request, rather than at its discretion. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
This bill amends Mississippi's Constitution to change how initiative petitions qualify for the ballot. It requires that for a constitutional initiative to qualify, the total signatures must include an equal number from each of Mississippi's current congressional districts (based on the latest federal census), rather than a statewide total. Excess signatures from any single district cannot count toward the required total. This directly affects citizens or groups seeking to propose constitutional changes through the initiative process, ensuring signatures are distributed across all districts. The change applies to all initiative petitions submitted after the amendment is adopted.
